Mr Gregory J Herrema, president, biosciences, Thermo Fisher Scientific, talks about the potential of Asia as a biologics manufacturing site and its position to attract large multinational companies

Global biopharmaceutical solution provider Thermo Fisher Scientific has recently expanded its global cell culture and bioprocessing capabilities by opening a new manufacturing plant in Singapore. The facility is the first-ever cell culture dry powder media (DPM) production site in Singapore and is designed to address the increased global requirements from biopharmaceutical companies to mitigate critical raw material supply risks.

In an interview with BioSpectrum Asia, Mr Gregory J Herrema, president, biosciences, Thermo Fisher Scientific, talks about the potential of Asia as a biologics manufacturing site and its position to attract large multinational companies.

How is Asia positioned as a hub for biologics manufacturing? Which countries do you think have potential for biologics manufacturing and why?According to a recent report by BCC Research, the DPM market in Asia has been estimated to grow to $220 million by 2016, representing a 20 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the highest in the world for media products. In addition, Singapore is becoming a central location for biopharmaceutical companies.

According to the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the biopharmaceutical sector contributed about $17.79 billion (S$22.8 billion) in output in 2011 and more than 6,000 jobs. In particular, the eight biologics manufacturing facilities located in Singapore have invested approximately $1.87 billion (S$2.4 billion) and employ more than 1,700 people.

We also see the expansion of biologics manufacturing throughout the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Immunization initiatives in China and India are driving rapid expansion of vaccine manufacturing processes in those countries. Additionally, many countries in the APAC region are investing in the development and production of biosimilar versions of biotherapeutics coming off patent.